Norman Law has just returned from a successful two week trip to Japan.

Third time

Norman was invited for a third time by his good friend Toshikazo Nagasaka, who is the MD of the Band of the Black Colt, to rehearse the band and direct their summer concert in Tokyo last weekend.

The programme included 'Ruslan and Ludmilla' Overture, 'Jupiter' from the 'Planets Suite' and 'Ovation', which was composed specially for the band by Philip Sparke.

Meeting with friends

During a few days break from rehearsals with Black Colt, Norman and his wife Elaine travelled north to Ashikaga to meet their friend Kenichi Nozawa, who Norman met in 1990 while on tour with the Black Dyke Mills Band.

Kenichi is a teacher at the Kitagou Elementary School, where he has formed a school brass band. While in Ashikaga, Norman rehearsed the school band on the piece 'The Blacksmith in the Woods', which the band are due to perform at the local music festival in July.

The concert with the Band of the Black Colt was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. The commitment, dedication and enthusiasm of all the musicians is just fantasticNorman Law

Great success

Norman told 4BR: "The concert with the Band of the Black Colt was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. The commitment, dedication and enthusiasm of all the musicians is just fantastic."

Norman and Elaine are already looking forward to their next visit to the country.